End of an Era

Digit is no longer independent. It has been taken over by Times. 

The most valuable property for the readers is the forum. It is not so active any more, but was a defining force for most of our lives. There is tremendous uncertainty about what the future holds. There were some backchannel discussions for the readers to acquire the forum, but that would mean amputating a major part of the community. 

The editor, AKA the Great God RAABO was the person who created most of the value that was transferred to a major media conglomerate. It is his advice to wait and watch to see what happens, at least till our friends work at that place. 

I know Times, it is trash. It serves advertisers more than the readers. It's products are the eyeballs of the readers, that it vends to the advertisers. It bends over backwards for ads. 

Needless to say, I hate ads. Times Now also plagiarised from me, so I hate them too. 

The press release is below. I am sad. 

Times Network Acquires Digit.in; Boosts Presence in Tech and Gaming Communities

 

New Delhi, May 27, 2024: Times Network, India's premier broadcast and digital network, has acquired Digit.in from 9.9 Group. The acquisition encompasses Digit’s print as well as digital business. This strategic move signifies Times Network’s commitment to bolstering its digital publishing portfolio and expanding its footprint in the technology and gaming sectors.

This acquisition is part of Times Network’s continued investment in its digital publishing business, which already reaches over 110 million monthly active users and garners more than 1 billion monthly video views. With a monthly reach exceeding 4 billion across its digital news brands, Times Network stands as the fastest-growing multimedia news network in the country, providing credible, accurate, and decisive news and analysis across English and Hindi general and business news categories.

Established in 2001 with the launch of Digit magazine, Digit has dedicated over two decades to helping people choose, buy, and use technology to enhance their lives. Over the years, Digit has successfully expanded its presence online through Digit.in and has become one of the leading publishers in the technology space. Also renowned for its vibrant communities, including Digit Squad, a network of tech influencers, and the SKOAR College Gaming Club (SCGC), a premier college gaming community. Collectively, Digit and Digit Squad boast a total reach of 180 million, underscoring their significant influence in the tech world.

N Subramanian, Chief Executive Officer (New Media and Investments) of Times Group, expressed his enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating, “At Times, we are committed to creating high-value digital communities that leverage audiences and commerce to deliver unparalleled value. We believe Digit fits very well in our overall strategy of building a portfolio of digital products catering to diverse audiences. It will help bring in new audiences to the network. We are confident that, under the aegis of Times Group, Digit’s existing legacy and leadership will grow manifold.”

Vikas Gupta, Founder & Director of 9.9 Group, echoed this sentiment, saying, “Digit has been India's Technology Navigator for the past 24 years, and we are thrilled to announce that it has found a new home with one of the largest publishers in the country, the Times Network. This marks an exciting new chapter for Digit, and we are confident that it will propel Digit to even greater heights. Digit's offerings will tap into the Times Network's extensive network, expertise, and legacy, ultimately benefiting our readers and the tech community at large. For over two decades, Digit’s mission has been to empower India with timely and trusted information on tech, as well as expert advice to navigate the rapidly evolving tech landscape. We are delighted that Digit will continue to thrive and grow, remaining a trusted tech navigator for India.”

The addition of Digit to Times Network’s expanding digital portfolio strengthens its position in the tech domain. Digit’s presence in digital, print, and on-ground events, along with its strong tech proposition, complements Times Network's existing assets. This synergy offers advertisers a robust platform to engage with a tech-savvy audience.

 

Indium Capital served as the sole investment banking advisor for this acquisition. 

About Times Network 

TIMES NETWORK, a premium broadcast network is part of India’s largest media conglomerate, The Times Group. Times Network with its credo Now or Nothing takes the centre stage of influencing the influencer, by delivering the most compelling and irreplaceable content to over 200 million urban affluent viewers in India and is available in over 100 countries across the globe. It houses best in class News, Hollywood and Bollywood brands including; TIMES NOW – India’s leading English News channel, ET NOW - India’s leading English Business News channel, MIRROR NOW  -  the channel that Fights for ‘You’ and channelizes its focus on issues that impact people’s lives; Times Now Navbharat –  Network’s Hindi News Channel in SD & HD that leads with a transformational positioning, Ab Badlega Bharat, Banega Navbharat; ET NOW Swadesh –  Network’s Hindi Business News Channel which is driven with the mission, Badho Desh Ke Saath; MOVIES NOW and MOVIES NOW HD – Home to Blockbusters; MN+ – The Gold class of Hollywood; Romedy NOW– a unique destination for Love. Laugh and Live; MNX and MNX HD – Hollywood’s wild child, Zoom - India’s leading entertainment destination and The Zoom Studios – original content creator that brings stories to life with relatable and compelling narratives; Times Chronicles, the content studio from Times Network that produces originals, real and gripping stories on important topics pertinent to the contemporary world. Timesnow.in, the digital entity of the Network, has seamlessly adapted itself to serve the diverse nature and interests of the content-savvy internet audience. 

MEDIA CONTACTS: TIMES NETWORK
Hina Jafri	VP & Head-Corporate Communications	hina.jafri@timesgroup.com
Manthra Koliyer	Senior Executive - PR	manthra.koliyer@timesgroup.com

AR 3664

 AR 3664 between May 8 and 16

Talespire DND

 

Vikram

This was Mission Vikram. A Vikram rocket with six Vikram engines carrying the Vikram spaceship would be piloted by an AI named Vikram. There was a nominal pilot on board, the captain of the crew was also named Vikram. Vikram was a drone operator by trade. 

Dhanush, a cybernetic engineer tasked with managing the implants and neural interfaces, Raman, a scientist whose insight into quantum theories had allowed the creation of the Vikram engine that paved the way for temporal manipulation technologies, and Dhruva, a pioneering maverick specializing in bioengineering and genetic manipulation, unconcerned about ethical considerations of his trade. 

Strapped into their seats, they felt a mixture of excitement, nerves, and unwavering determination. Their training had prepared them for this moment, but nothing could truly prepare them for the experience that lay ahead.

As the countdown reached its final moments, the engines roared to life, casting a glow against the dawn. The six mighty Vikram engines ignited in unison. The ground trembled beneath Vikram's weight as it slowly began to rise, defying the gravitational pull of Earth.

Vikram lifted off the launch pad, its momentum building with each passing moment. The crew were pressed back into their seats. Outside their windows, the world transformed into a blur of motion.

Vikram pierced through the thick blanket of Earth's atmosphere, leaving behind a trail of smoke and flame. The crew felt weightlessness envelop them, a sensation both thrilling and surreal. Above them, the boundless expanse of space beckoned.

As Vikram climbed higher and higher, the blue curve of Earth came into view. With each passing moment, the rocket's trajectory aligned with its intended orbit, guided by the precise calculations of mission control. The six engines continued to burn brightly, propelling Vikram. 

And then, with a final burst of energy, Vikram achieved orbit, its Vikram engines falling silent as it coasted gracefully through the void of space. Inside the Vikram spaceship, the crew exchanged smiles of triumph and wonder, knowing that they were now among the privileged few to have ventured beyond the bounds of Earth.

The upper stage fell off, and now it was time for the Vikram Spaceship to fire its own Vikram engines.  Vikram was a marvel of quantum engineering, equipped with cutting-edge technology designed to manipulate the very fabric of spacetime.

As Vikram hovered in Earth's orbit, its temporal engines whirred with energy, generating a controlled distortion field capable of bending the laws of physics. With a synchronized activation of its quantum thrusters, the vessel initiated a temporal jump, propelling it backward along the arrow of time.

The crew observed with curiosity as the stars streaked past in a dazzling display of relativistic effects, their wavelengths stretching and compressing in tune with the ship's velocity. The familiar constellations blurred and shifted, marking the passage through epochs long past.

Vikram emerging in a primordial era of Earth's history: the Mesozoic era, approximately 66 million years in the past. Below, the crew beheld a prehistoric panorama unlike anything seen in their own time. 

The crew were witnessing a spectacle of unparalleled magnitude: the formation of the Deccan Traps, a vast volcanic province that would shape the course of geological history. From their vantage point in space, the crew beheld a breathtaking vista of the Indian subcontinent, bathed in the fiery glow of molten rock and lava. Below them, a series of colossal volcanoes erupted with unimaginable force, spewing torrents of ash and magma into the atmosphere.

Before their eyes was a landscape of otherworldly beauty and terror. Towering volcanic peaks rose like titans from the Earth's crust, their slopes scarred by rivers of molten lava cascading downward in a mesmerizing display of primal power.

The cupola on Vikram provided a front-row seat to the cataclysmic events unfolding below. The very ground trembled beneath them as the Earth's crust fractured and heaved, unleashing waves of seismic energy that reverberated across the landscape.

Columns of smoke and ash billowed into the sky, darkening the heavens and blotting out the sun with a shroud of darkness. The air crackled with electrical discharge as lightning danced amidst the roiling clouds, casting an eerie glow over the apocalyptic landscape.

Despite the chaos and destruction unfolding below, the crew could not help but marvel at the raw power and beauty of nature's fury. The Deccan Traps were a testament to the awesome forces at work beneath the Earth's surface, sculpting the planet's terrain and shaping its destiny over millions of years.

As Vikram descended toward the Earth's surface, the crew navigated through the turbulent atmosphere, their eyes fixed on the landscape below. Beneath them stretched a scarred and rugged terrain. 

As the vessel descended closer to the ground, the crew observed with keen anticipation the region ahead, protected by the formidable lava flows. Molten rivers snaked their way across the landscape, their fiery tongues licking at the surroundings.

With guidance from the ship's advanced navigational systems, the crew plotted a precise course through the treacherous terrain, carefully avoiding the seething rivers of molten rock below. The Vikram engines hummed with power as they maneuvered the vessel with finesse, skirting the edges of the volcanic outflows.

As Vikram touched down on solid ground, the crew breathed a collective sigh of relief, their mission to explore the ancient landscape of the Deccan Traps now underway. Outside the viewport, the landscape stretched out in all directions, a surreal tableau of geological upheaval and primordial beauty.

Around them, the air shimmered with the residual heat of the surrounding lava flows, casting an ethereal glow over the landscape. The ground beneath them still radiated with warmth, a reminder of the forces that had shaped the terrain over millennia.

Stepping out onto the alien landscape, the crew embarked on their exploration, equipped with state-of-the-art instruments and protective gear. They traversed the rugged terrain, marveling at the surreal beauty of the volcanic landscape and documenting their observations.

Despite the harsh conditions and the ever-present threat of volcanic activity, the crew pressed on, driven by a thirst for knowledge and discovery. For within the fiery depths of the Deccan Traps lay clues to Earth's ancient past, waiting to be unearthed by intrepid explorers willing to brave the elements and explore the unknown.

Hmmmmm?

GPT 3.5 dreamed up some power and privilege stuff when I was going for gender identity, inheritance, and familial relations... which it still struggles with 

Once upon a time, in a lush forest shrouded in mystery, an asteroid plummeted from the heavens, crashing into the earth with a silent thud. Unnoticed by the creatures of the forest, it bore within its celestial heart a secret, a crystalline alien liquid that shimmered with otherworldly brilliance.

As the asteroid split open, the liquid oozed forth like a river of stardust, winding its way through the underbrush until it reached the nearest river. Along its journey, it passed by a crocodile, a black panther, and a python, each unaware of the strange energy that brushed against them.

But it was the bear, noble and curious, that fate chose as its vessel. As the bear bent down to drink from the river's edge, its maw met the glowing liquid, and in that moment, transformation seized hold. The bear swelled in size, its fur tinged with the pulsating glow of the alien essence, and it rose as a colossal monster, towering over the forest like a living nightmare.

Meanwhile, in a technofuturistic utopia ruled by a wise and just king, news of the monster's emergence spread like wildfire. The king, faced with the threat to his kingdom, declared that whoever could slay the beast would inherit his crown and rule in his stead.

Many heroes, brave and valiant, heeded the call to arms, including the king's own sons and daughters. They ventured into the depths of the forest, armed with weapons forged from steel and powered by technology beyond imagination, determined to rid the land of the monstrous menace.

But amidst the chaos and clamor of battle, it was not the mighty warriors or the privileged princes and princesses who would claim victory. No, it was the humble son of a ranger, a young man with a heart of gold and a spirit as untamed as the wilderness itself.

Armed with nothing but his father's bow and arrow, the ranger's son embarked on a journey of courage and determination. He tracked the monster through the dense undergrowth, his senses honed by years spent in harmony with nature.

And when he finally stood face to face with the beast, with its glowing eyes and fearsome roar, he did not falter. Drawing his bowstring taut, he let fly an arrow guided by the purity of his intentions and the strength of his spirit.

The arrow found its mark, piercing the monster's heart with a flash of light that banished the darkness from the land. And as the colossal creature fell, defeated at last, the ranger's son emerged victorious, hailed as a hero and crowned as the new king.

For in the end, it was not power or privilege that determined greatness, but the courage to stand against the darkness and the compassion to lead with wisdom and humility. And so, under the reign of the humble ranger's son, the kingdom flourished, and peace reigned once more in the heart of the forest.

Back to the Future lol

Dude, so like, you know when you're chilling and suddenly remember those sick tunes from your old audio cassettes? Yeah, that's the vibe we're talking about here. So, Venu dropped this article on how to rescue your ancient jams, and I was like, "Whoa, I gotta try this with my setup."

First off, you gotta hit up the hardware store for some magic wires. Picture this: one end looks like your old walkman plug, and the other end has these funky flower petals and a center plug thingy. And there's this other wire, a real unicorn, with earphone pins on both sides. Finding this one is like finding Atlantis, man. Anyway, you hook those babies up to your sound system and PC like a mad scientist.

Now, here's where the real magic happens. You can basically can record anything with your setup. Want to record that epic game music from Quake 3? Easy peasy. Just plug one end into your PC and the other into your sound system, press a few buttons, and voila, you're making mixtapes like it's the '90s again

But wait, there's more! You can flip it around and record anything from your sound system onto your PC. Radio jams, CDs, you name it. It's like having your own personal recording studio, man.

And the software? Well, let's just say I went on a quest through the depths of the internet and ended up with some demo version that kept nagging me to buy the full thing. So, I settled for good ol' Audacity. Yeah, it's basic, but it gets the job done. And if you're feeling fancy, there's some other software out there, but who has the energy to figure all that out?

Oh, and don't forget about burning your tunes onto CDs with Nero if you're feeling fancy. Otherwise, it's back to the future, my friend. Recording everything onto cassettes like it's a time warp or something. Life's funny that way, isn't it?

Amritanshu v2.0

Ah, the tranquility of the night, where Amritanshu, the illustrious dream thief, enjoys his nightly spectacles. Behold! The grandeur of clouds, like fluffy ghosts clinging to mountains, hiding secrets older than grandma’s recipe book. And oh, the moonlight! It spills over the mountain edges like a clumsy bartender, lighting up the party of gods and sages and lovers' whispers.

But wait, what's this? To the east, a dam forms a lake, shaped like a mighty serpent taking a nap. How poetic! And above, the air, oh so hushed, as if holding its breath in anticipation of what? Anshu, our protagonist, can't hear a darn thing over the serene quietude, bless his eardrums.

And lo and behold! A bridge! Cars crawl across like sluggish ants, headlights winking like they've got secrets to share. Anshu, ever the philosopher, looks up, pondering the mimicry of humans below, while the constellations, those nosy neighbors of the night sky, give him the side-eye.

Orion, with his celestial sword, Cassiopeia reclining like a drama queen, and the Milky Way, the ultimate cosmic highway. Anshu, feeling brave, takes a deep breath and plunges into the clouds like a wannabe superhero on his trusty magic carpet.

Now, onto Anshu's cuff, where stickers reign supreme! They may look boring, but oh, they hold the power of dreams! Anshu, with the finesse of a master thief, plucks a circular one and slaps it on his forehead like a boss. Suddenly, the city below explodes in color, revealing the dreams of its inhabitants, from lost loves to frustrated light switch enthusiasts.

With a flick of his imaginary cape, Anshu takes flight again, leaving the city's cacophony of dreams behind. But wait, what's this? A highway! An asphalt ribbon to nowhere, or perhaps everywhere. As he flies, he can hear the symphony of hopes and fears, the soundtrack of humanity's existential crisis, fading into the distance.

And now, the grand finale! The highway leads west, through mountains, to the Arabian Sea. Ah, the scent of secrets mixed with salt, and coconut palms swaying like they're auditioning for a tropical musical. Fishing boats bobbing, lanterns flickering, hopes sailing away on the ocean breeze.

Anshu descends once more, over beaches where memories linger like stubborn guests at a party. Children's laughter, lovers' tears, and ancestral blessings, because why not? But Anshu isn't here for sandcastles and sentimental musings. No sir, he's here for a dream, an impossible one.

Skipping over thatched rooftops like a dreamy ninja, Anshu's senses tingle with anticipation. He can taste the dreams, from bittersweet to spicy, like a culinary connoisseur of the subconscious. Landing near a pile of firewood, Anshu contemplates a rusty moped because... well, why not?

Closing his eyes, Anshu extends his senses like an otherworldly detective, and there it is! In a humble room, on a stone bed older than your grandpa's socks, lies a pearl diver. And what a dream he's dreaming! A pearl the size of a small country, gleaming with all the colors of a unicorn's disco party. And Anshu? He's about to pull off the greatest heist of all time, stealing dreams like a boss.

Amritanshu the Dream Thief

It was the quiet hours of the night, and Amritanshu watches the sea of clouds passing below, with ghostly tendrils clinging to the mountain slopes, concealing valleys and ancient forests. Towards the west, the moonlight has spilled on the jagged edges of mountains jutting out of the clouds. Their peaks seemed to bear the weight of whispers of sages, echoes of lovers and the footprints of Gods. 

Out in the east is a dam, forming a lake that looks like the coiled body of a mighty serpent. High above the dark clouds, the air is hushed. Anshu cannot hear the roar of the water rushing through the valley below, and he is enveloped in a serene quietude. 

A narrow bridge spans a gorge downstream, connecting two worlds with delicate threads of steel. Cars crawl across it, with headlights winking like fireflies. Peppering the ground far below are islands of light, and Anshu looks skywards to remind himself of what the humans were imitating, and the constellations in turn, regarded him. 

Orion brandished his celestial sword, while Cassiopeia reclined like a queen. The Milky Way stretched across the heavens, a river of stardust connecting worlds beyond the dreams of humans. Anshu took a deep breath, and dived beneath the clouds. The edges of the magic carpet fluttered only slightly as the magic carpet slowed down and descended towards the city. 

On his cuff are a number of stickers. Each look unremarkable and black. There are stars, diamonds, squares, birds and flowers, but most of them are round. With deft fingers, Anshu carefully picks out a circular one, and applies it to the center of his forehead. The city beneath him bursts out in colour, as the dreams of the inhabitants are revealed. 

The landscape below pulses with life, a kaleidoscope of emotions, memories and desires. In one apartment, an old man dreams of reuniting with his lost love. In another, a child envisions soaring through the sky on wings of fire. In yet another, a frustrated woman with a mystified expression keeps turning a light switch on and off, but the light stubbornly remains on. Anshu chuckles softly. 

With a silent command, Anshu soars into the skies again. His destination is much futher away from the city, which has helped him orient himself. He follows a highway, an asphalt ribbon stretching into the horizon. As he leaves the city behind, he can hear a discordant symphony fading, made up of hopes and fears, aspirations and regrets. 

For a moment, Anshu feels the weight of the combined longing of a city, and it hums through his very being. Anshu was familiar with many tricks of the trade, but was always guided by the knowledge of how fleeting and fragile dreams were. Anshu knew he had to act fast, or else a tremendous prize would be lost forever.

The highway turned west, snaked through the mountains, and approached the Arabian Sea. The scent of secrets wafted up through the air, along with that of salt. Coconut palms swayed like dancing giants, their fronds whispering a lullaby to restless children. Fishing boats bobbed on the oceans, with lanterns flickering, a constellation of hopes cast on the ocean. 

Anshu descended once again over the beaches, where the tides had washed away the footprints, but fragmented memories clung to the sand. The laughter of children stomping through sandcastles, the tears of parting lovers, and the blessings of ancestors who were not entirely human. 

Anshu approached a small village. Here the dreams were simpler, a bountiful catch, a lover's embrace, a safe return. A young girl dreams of becoming a sailor, her eyes fixed on the distant horizon. But Anshu was here for someone else. Someone who was dreaming of diving into the icy depths in search of a rumour, an impossible one at that. 

Anshu glided silently over the thatched rooftops. Anshu could sense the dreams with all of his senses, the sticker made sure of that. He could taste them, with flavours ranging from bittersweet memories to spicy fantasies. Landing near a pile of firewood, Anshu hopped off his magic carpet and briefly considered an old, rusty moped. Anshu closed his eyes, extending his senses beyond the veil of reality, and saw it, a glowing beacon of light.  

In a small, simple room, sleeping on an ancient stone bed with a straw mat, was a pearl diver. It was surprising what the mind of this humble man had conjured. He was dreaming of a pearl the size of a King's hand, gleaming with moonlight, it's surface rippling with opalescent blues, pinks and greens. And Anshu smiled, because he was a dream thief, and he was about to steal this magnificent jewel. 

Episode 5 of Xmen 97 is so cool

Gambit finally got heroed like he deserved. The season has been changing everything every episode. There are so many easter eggs and cameos. The music is so good, and all the X-men work so well together. Everyone is using their powers in new ways, and the animations are soo cool. 

Magneto looks a lot like Astarion

There are some dubious messages though, such as acting now to save tomorrow, like we are doing with the "ozone stuff" can lead mankind down dangerous paths... and that we should not try shifting the future too much? I didn't really understand that bit. 

There are great references to the original series, and the previous episode got back Mojo, one of the most memorable characters from the original show. 

Opera vs Vivaldi

Vivaldi

Uses Bing as a default, so it becomes a bit about Bing vs Google. 

I just like the interface of Vivaldi more, even though Opera GX has a good one. 

Tabs can be nested and you can create clusters of tabs for different purposes, called Workspaces. 

Has a downloads pane that opens with every download. 

The download process can get broken.

Opera

My Flow on Opera is better for using the browser on multiple devices. 

Google is better at getting more focused results. Bing trusts its algos more than your query. 

Has more space for the URL. 

Snapshot option lets you save PDF of whole page. 

Aria AI is not very good or useful.